Issue of division of pension liabilities settled

Patna, July 27 (UNI) Despite pendency of some major issues involving division of assets and liabilities between Bihar and Jharkhand during all these years, both the states were successful today in achieving the goal of 'nearly' dividing pension liablities.

After a high level meeting attended by chief secretaries and finance secretaries of both the states here, Bihar Chief Secretary G.S. Kang and state Finance Secretary V.N. Narayanan told newspersons that Jharkand would pay Rs. 629 crore to Bihar under the settlement, resolving the issue of pension liabilities.

They said that Jharkhand was insisting on division of pension liablities in the ratio of one to three while Bihar Reorganisation Act stipulated division of pension liabilities in the ratio of one to two. They said that Jharkhand had agreed to pay the said amount to Bihar, pending the final settlement of the liabilities to future discussions.

Mr Kang said that the issue of division of assets and liabilities of Bihar State Road Transport Corporation remained unresolved due to various reasons. He said that Justice (retired) Sagir Ahmed of the Supreme Court was hearing the matter presently. He said that Jharkhand would pay Rs. 221 crore to Bihar through bonds after consulting the concerned accountant general. He said that Jharkhand was insisting on division of assets and liabilites of state owned corporations based on their geographical location but the said act had not such a provision.

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